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Thonga Beach Lodge

Location: KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

Price guide: £££££
£200-£350 per person per night

Thonga Beach Lodge is a luxurious hotel resort in South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, with the golden sands of Mabibi Beach on one side and thick forest on the other. This is South Africa’s only tropical dive site, and the ocean is teeming with life including turtles, whale sharks and manta rays; nature walks are on offer back on dry land, too.

Perfect forCouples and honeymooners who love adventure and activity mixed with beachside relaxation - also those who love turtles and whales.

In the know

South Africa’s only tropical dive site

Dive with turtles, manta rays and dolphins

Spot spiders and scorpions on nocturnal nature walks

Community initiatives ensure that your stay benefits local people

Recommended for...

Eco-tourism

Lodge

Off the Beaten Track

Peace & Quiet

Hotel Overview

sense of place

Opening on to the beautiful golden sands of Mabibi Beach, Thonga enjoys a stunning setting surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery. The ocean beyond is absolutely teeming with life, as is the forest on the other side, with hundreds of fish, bird, butterfly and plant species calling this unspoilt area home.

rooms at thonga beach lodge

Thonga’s 12 thatched bush suites boast panoramic views over either the forest or the ocean, and reflect their natural surroundings with sustainable construction from wood, thatch and glass. The lodges are set on raised platforms in the forest, with private decks from which to take in the view. Forest View Rooms are beautifully secluded, surrounded by thick vegetation and the music of flitting birds, while Ocean View rooms and suites boast panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. All have floor-to-ceiling windows so you can enjoy the view from the privacy of your room.

food & drink

The food at Thonga Beach Lodge makes the most of the hotel’s seafront location, with dishes often featuring the freshest fish and seafood. Lunch and dinner are offered a la carte, while breakfast is a sumptuous buffet spread of Continental and hot options. The menu changes constantly according to the availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients. The choice is yours whether to dine al fresco or indoors, and private dining on your own mezzanine can also be arranged.

facilities

Thonga’s spa is the perfect place to rejuvenate after exploring the area by land and sea, with a range of treatments on offer including hot stone therapy, reflexology, facials, massages and manicures. Kids are welcome at Thonga, with a range of activities on offer to keep them occupied, including volleyball, cricket, nature walks and pizza making. Babysitting can also be arranged.

activities at thonga beach lodge

Mabibi Bay is South Africa’s only tropical dive site, and offers correspondingly unique opportunities for spotting marine life. Among the 1,200 species of fish which live here are manta rays, parrot fish and Moorish idols, while bottlenose dolphins, sharks, whale sharks and turtles can also be seen. Needless to say, it’s a great place for scuba diving, but snorkelling, fishing and kayaking are all on offer, too. Back on dry land, scorpion and spider walks through the forest are a fascinating and creepy way to spend the night, while by day you can spot the thousands of plant species and hundreds of butterflies and birds which live here. Thonga is also active in local community initiatives, and visits are on offer to a local village and primary school which help to support the lives of local people.

Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best time to go

Apr-Sep

Hotel location

Thonga Beach Lodge is around 5.5 hours’ drive from Durban’s King Shaka Airport.

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